Mekele Hamlin Fistula Centre
Mekelle, the capital of the National Regional State of Tigray, is situated in the northernmost part of Ethiopia, 465 miles from Addis Ababa.
Back in 1986 tens of thousands of Ethiopians perished here as a result of drought and famine. Today the city boasts a more modern and improving infrastructure.
In the Tigray region there are only four Obstetric/Gynaecologists for an area (approx. 54,600 square kilometres) that has a population of about 4.1million ~nearly a quarter being women between 15 and 49 years of age. It is estimated there are about 184,000 pregnancies each year in Tigray. Obstetric fistulas occur in about 1.6% of cases which is well above the estimated national average of 1%.
The region has one obstetrician for every one million people, and one midwife per 33,713 people, compared to the WHO standard for midwives of 1:5,000.
Opened in February 2006, this was the second of the planned five mini-hospitals to be completed. The centre will not only treat patients in the Tigray region but also patients who will travel from the Afar and Amhara regions.
The centre has 30 beds and 26 happy staff enabling up to 400 patients to be treated each year. There is an operation room, service rooms and a counselling room for expectant mothers who are at risk of an obstructed labour.
Dr Melaku Abriha, who undertook intensive training in fistula surgery at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and is the head surgeon of this centre, is coordinating with the Regional Health Bureau to establish programs in which to train doctors and health officers to perform Emergency Obstetric Care.
We also have a dedicated health officer whose primary responsibility is finding hidden fistula patients and promoting health education to prevent fistulas occurring. Our centre works with the regional health bureau, international and local NGOs in the prevention of obstetric fistulas, averting maternal morbidities and reducing maternal mortality.
The head nurses, Sister Azeb and Sister Hiwot, oversee their team of nurse-aides and ensure that a high level of care for the patients is maintained at all times.
We are very grateful to:-
- The Ministry of Health in Tigray who has given us the land (about 1 acre) within the Mekele Hospital grounds.
- The Australian Government (AusAID) for funding the building and equipment of this facility.
- Our Partner Trust in Australia for funding the building and equipment of this facility and providing ongoing running costs.
RECENT NEWS
- In December 2008 we installed a new water plant which has increased the centres capacity for rain storage, enabled the use of a large washing machine and also allow us to soften the water which has been damaging our sterilization equipment.
- Dr Melaku and Ato Solomon are working on a plan to raise awareness about Fistula so that more patients will come to the centre for treatment. This plan will involve visiting the 46 regional zones in Tigray to assess and identify the extent of Obstetric Fistula.
Patients Stories:
Tsehay – Tragedy and Recovery
Tsehay was brought to the Mekelle Centre by her uncle. She was born in a small village near to the ancient town of Axum. She developed febrile illness at the age of six which resulted in her becoming deaf and dumb. Because of this she did not marry at the age of 13 (or less), unlike many of the other girls in her village.
She lived with her mother. By the time Tsehay was 27, her mother wanted Tsehay to have the pleasure of her own baby and continue the family tree.
So the mother arranged with a married man in the neighbourhood who is a father of four, to make Tsehay pregnant. He spent every night with Tsehay until her mother was sure Tsehay was pregnant. The mother assured the man that nobody would know that he was the father of the baby. Without her consent, Tsehay became pregnant. The mother then told the man to stop visiting her daughter.
Poor Tsehay did not know what was happening to her. To keep the birth secret the mother conducted the delivery at home. The baby became obstructed in Tsehay’s uterus and died after three days labour. Then after three more days urine began to leak through the vagina and Tsehay began to smell badly. She remained in this condition for another twelve months until her uncle made a visit and discovered Tsehay’s pitiable condition.
The mother was too ashamed of what she had done to come to our centre, as other mothers do. So the uncle accompanied Tsehay to our centre.
After taking a thorough history from Tsehay’s uncle and some examination, we did fistula surgery and cured Tsehay.
When she was recovered she was discharged with a new dress, a good local hair style and a warm smile.
We cannot ever forget Tsehay’s warm smile of thanks.
Dr Melaku Abriha
Centre Photos
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Bahar Dar
